For the first time in 8 years, I have a conflict during a boat race weekend that will take me out of the reporting mix at HydroInsider.com. You should be well covered with ABRA's stepped up website race weekend reporting, WORX radio's live audio, and Go3Racing's live streams.

Five of the eleven teams expected for Thunder on the Ohio were in the pit area on the Evansville riverfront by Thursday evening. The rest are expected Friday. Nate Brown's U-17 encountered transporter problems in Montana, and may not arrive until Saturday.